Eversource Changing Meter Policy For Crumbling Foundation Work

VERNON, CT — Eversource Energy is waiving the cost of relocating and re-installing gas meters displaced after crumbling foundation repairs.

An Eversource spokeswoman said Monday that the utility has "re-evaluated the situation" and made the change in policy.

The spokeswoman cited the "unique circumstances," surrounding the home repairs.

"We are not charging these customers for the work required to relocate their natural gas meters. We’re also working on a mechanism to reimburse the customers who already did pay, and will work with our regulators to come up with the fairest way to address this issue," she said.

Eversource officials said disconnecting a natural gas meter, "is not just a matter of disconnecting and reconnecting the meter ... The work requires excavating so we can access the gas line to cut it and cap the flow of gas, so the foundation contractors can do their work safely. Some cases are more complex depending on the distance the contractor needs between the gas line and the foundation or because of the configuration of the existing service, then we have to re-connect the gas line to the meter at the foundation. It’s a multi-phased process that requires several workers to complete."

Neverthe less, U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (D-2) welcomed the announcement by Eversource.

"Kudos to Vice Chairman John Betkoski at the state Public Utilities Regulatory Authority for working with Eversource to take prompt action to end charging disconnection fees to homeowners who are repairing crumbling foundations," Courtney said. "PURA met with Eversource today, and secured an agreement to cease this practice. I spoke with PURA earlier this week after news reports first broke on this situation, and encouraged them to carry out the mission of the agency: to protect consumers from unforeseen disasters and charges. I’m glad to see they turned around and got the job done."